Create a GLN (step-by-step guide)

In order to create a location number (GLN), you subscribe to a so-called company prefix from us. Using the company prefix you create numbers to identify places or functions. A company prefix is a combination of digits that is unique to your company. This means that there is no other company in the world that has the same number. In addition, the GS1 numbers you create with your company prefix can be used throughout the world.

The company prefix can be a single number which can be used to identify one place, or alternatively a number series. We therefore recommend that you subscribe to a number series if you already need several GLNs or think that you will need more GLNs during the next year. On the other hand, if you only need a GLN to identify your company in, for example, a tendering process, then we recommend that you subscribe to a single number.

So, it is the number of GLNs that you need that determines if you should subscribe to a number series or a single number.

You will find the fees for a number series and single numbers at the following link. The fee is based on your company’s annual turnover.

When you have received your certificate with your company prefix, you can start to calculate the numbers themselves. You use our page “calculate check digit” to calculate your GLN.

The structure consists of a combination of digits and letters. For a series of 1,000 numbers, for example, the structure looks like this:

123456789 AAA K

123456789 – is your company prefix which must be part of all numbers you create.

AAA – is a sequence number. You decide this yourself. It can be anything from 000 to 999. We recommend that you number sequentially, i.e. 001, 002, 003 and so on. It is important that you keep track of the sequence numbers you have used since this is not something we register.

K – is a check digit that you calculate on our website. You cannot choose the check digit, it must be calculated. You can also calculate the check digit when you are logged in to MyGS1. Note that you must calculate the new check digit for every new location number you create.

If your company prefix is a single number

If your company prefix is a single number, you do not need to calculate the check digit. Your GLN is shown directly on the certificate.

If your company wants to identify different places and functions associated with the company, then you need to create further GLNs than the one you will find in GS1’s number enquiry service. You do this with your GS1 Company Prefix, a sequence number and a check digit – a total of 13 digits.

In this example we have created a GLN using a GS1 Company Prefix of 9 digits. With this prefix you can create up to 1000 GLNs. The final digit is a check digit which can be calculated using a function on our website.

If your company only has a so-called “single number” and needs more than one GLN, then you need to order a new subscription for a GS1 Company Prefix.

If your company wants to publish more than one GLN so that they can be searched for by your customers using GS1’s number enquiry service, then you should subscribe to our business service GS1 Directory.

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Worth knowing about GLNs

You can search for your company in GS1’s number enquiry service. If the company has a subscription with us to a company prefix, then the search will show address information together with your GLN. The address information is supplied by the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

If your company only has a so-called “single number” and needs more than one GLN, then you need to order a new subscription for a GS1 Company Prefix. Further subscriptions can be made by logging in to our portal, MyGS1.

If your company wants to publish more than one GLN so that they refer to different addresses and can, for example, be searched for by your customers using GS1’s number enquiry service, then you should subscribe to our business service GS1 Directory.